Unfortunately, if you are involved in a personal injury claim on behalf of a loved one, it might be because you are in a wrongful death situation. Neglect, abuse, and accidents can unfortunately lead to death, especially for the elderly. If a caretaker neglected or abused your loved one and they passed away as a result, they might be the victim of wrongful death. You could file a wrongful death claim and attempt to get justice on their behalf. While you are probably overwhelmed, your family might be entitled to compensation. You can learn more about elder abuse and wrongful death in Connecticut here.
What is Wrongful Death?
First off, you might wonder: what is wrongful death? Not all death to the elderly is wrongful, so it is important that you have a firm understanding of wrongful death before you try to file a claim. Wrongful death happens in nursing homes or during home care when a caretaker neglected or abused your loved one, and they passed away as a result. Alternatively, if a caretaker caused an accident that led to death, this could be a wrongful death situation. You can learn more about what is and what is not wrongful death on our wrongful death pages.
Compensation for Elder Abuse Wrongful Death
If your loved one was the victim of wrongful death, you could file a claim in an attempt to get compensation. The compensation will go to the dependents of the deceased. In addition, something called pecuniary compensation could be awarded in a wrongful death case. This money goes towards expenses such as funeral costs, medical expenses that were incurred while the deceased was alive, loss of inheritance, and more. You can learn more about wrongful death compensation on this page.
Distributing an Estate after an Elderly Family Member Passes Away
After a person dies, distribution of recovery for that person’s estate must take place. This is easier to do if the deceased has a Will. The executor of the Will can simply follow the instructions that are outlined in the Will. However, if there is no Will, the probate court and a judge can determine how to distribute assets. While the distribution of assets might not be top of mind during this difficult time for your and your family, it is something to consider as you move forward with funeral arrangements and other necessities at this time. Luckily, an attorney can assist you with the process. You can learn more about distribution of recovery on this page.
Call a Connecticut Lawyer for Elder Care Wrongful Death Cases
Losing a loved one is always devastating. It can be even harder when the loss is a result of an accident or intended injury. In these situations, compensation can give your family some peace. You can learn more about wrongful death by following the links located on this page. If you have additional questions about wrongful death and elder abuse in Connecticut, our office is happy to help. Just give us a call and we can review your situation. Let us take care of the legal aspects so that you and your family can focus on healing.